Poinsettia V-14

ABSTRACT

A new variety of poinsettia plant distinguished by the unique characteristic of having nearly the overall beauty and red color of Eckespoint C-1 Red (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,923) but blooming approximately one to two weeks earlier at about one to two degrees C. lower forcing temperature thereby effecting a considerable saving of fuel. This new plant also has the unique ability to produce a side shoot on its stem for virtually every axial bud thereby adapting this variety for production of multi-stemmed (pinched) plants of superior beauty and quality. The bracts are often as wide as they are long with a remarkable absence of drooping and since the bract petioles are short, the bracts have a full and compact appearance.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

My new variety of poinsettia plant originated as a sport of one of myseedlings, which I have identified as V-12 (unpatented), resulting fromextensive breeding efforts carried on by me at Linz (Rhein), Germany.This sport was discovered by me in the course of my study of variousgreenhouse cultured seedlings produced by various crosses made by mefrom time to time; and I selected this particular sport for propagationand test because of its distinctly different appearance and habits.

Propagation of this sport was done by me, in my greenhouse at Linz(Rhein), Germany, by means of cuttings from the parent plant andpropagation of the resulting clone, through successive generations, hasshown that the novel and distinctive characteristics of the originalsport hold true from generation to generation and appear to be firmlyfixed. Propagation of this new variety for commercial purposes is nowbeing done at Encinitas, Calif., by means of vegetative cuttings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

My new variety of poinsettia plant is illustrated by the accompanyingfull color photographic drawing in which the upper view shows thegeneral form of the entire plant in full bloom and the lower view showsa top plan view of the plant to illustrate the compact display andbright red color of the bracts, the color rendition being as nearly trueas it is reasonably possible to obtain through conventional professionalphotographic procedures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The following is a detailed description of this new variety ofpoinsettia plant with the color designations being stated according tothe R.H.S. Colour Chart published by The Royal Horticultural Society ofLondon, England, with collaboration of The British Colour Council.

THE PLANT

Origin: Sport.

Parentage: An unpatented seedling identified as V-12.

Classification:

Botanic.--Euphorbia pulcherrima.

Commercial.--Greenhouse poinsettia.

Form: Shrub.

Height: Medium.

Growth Habit:

As a single stem.--Upright and vigorous with self-branching side shoots;may require a growth regulator.

As a branched plant.--Upright with very many stems producing a bushy,full appearance.

Growth Rate: Very fast. Rooting occurs in 10 to 15 days under automaticmist and the plant will bloom in about 9 to 10 weeks at a nighttemperature of 17° to 19° C. during October and November. Under poorlight conditions, a somewhat higher temperature may be necessary.

Foliage: Alternate and horizontal, with medium persistence and in normalabundance.

Leaf Size.--Medium, about 4 to 6 inches long and about 21/2 to 41/2inches wide.

Leaf Shape.--Substantially ovate, some with acuminate tip. Most leaveshave one or two serrations on each side of the petiole.

Aspect.--Upper side -- dull with vein indented. Under side -- dull withordinary veining.

Color.--Upper side -- Dark green, between 146A and 147A. Under side --dark green, near 146B.

retention.--The foliage lasts well when kept at a low room temperature,i.e. below 20° C., and with good light intensity.

Bracts: Generally 15 to 20 in number, in overlapping arrangement with atight center providing a full effect.

Size.--Various, up to 7 inches long and 6 inches wide, some being aswide as they are long.

Shape.--Ovate-acuminate with substantially entire margins but with somedentations. Small bracts are elliptic in shape.

Petioles.--Quite short, from 1/4 inch to about 1 inch long.

Color.--Bright Red. Upper side -- between 46B and 45B. Under side --near 45C.

ribs and Veins.--Veins are of a light creamy color and protrude from theunder side of the bracts.

Retention.--Medium persistence similar to that of the Eckespoint C-1varieties.

This new variety of poinsettia plant has nearly the beauty of thepopular Eckespoint C-1 Red (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,923) but it has a muchgreater branching habit and it may be bloomed one to two weeks earlierand at a several degrees lower temperature. The plant is of a mediumheight, somewhat taller than my variety V-10 (U.S. Plant Pat. No.4,235), but of a height similar to that of other popular varieties. Thecyathia cluster is compact and since the bract petioles are usually veryshort, the plant provides a full and compact display of color when infull bloom. When grown as a single stem plant, the bracts are larger andmore beautiful.

Self branching side shoots from axial buds occur to a greater extent onthis new plant than has been observed on other commercial poinsettiavarieties. Also, it has been noted that when this plant is improperlyfertilized, there is a tendency toward leaves of a lighter green colorthan would be considered normal.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinctive red poinsettia plant substantially asherein shown and described, distinguished by its relatively shortblooming time and lower forcing temperatures, its ability to produce aside shoot at substantially every axial bud on its stem, and by itslarge bracts having very short petioles to provide a full compactappearance in full bloom.